East Peak

Castle Craig (public domain photo taken from the W...

Description 

This area lies above the town of Meriden. A small "castle" (Castle Craig) sits at the summit of the peak and affords an excellent view of central CT. The road to the top is closed evenings and during the winter - check the sign at the gate and make sure you don't get locked in. When the road is closed a bit of hiking is needed to get to the crags.

Most of the best crags overlook Merimere Reservoir, part of the Meriden water supply.

Getting There 

See the RMF Website, http://www.raggedmtn.org, for directions.

From Jim O'Brien , courtesy of CCM (CT Climbers and Mountaineers www.ctclimbers.com):

From Waterbury:I-84 east to I-691 east. Get off at exit 4. Make right at end of ramp. Go about .75 miles, make left into Hubbard Park.

From New haven\Middletown:I-691 west. Get off at exit 4.Make a left at end of ramp. Go about .75 miles, make left into Hubbard Park. If gate to castle is open then: Drive up road along reservoir, about a 1/2 mile past the reservoir road will fork go left and park by castle. IF gate to castle is closed then: Park in main parking lot, walk past gate up road to reservoir. Turn left and continue on dirt road along shore until road curves sharply around left, turn right at this point and cross a small stream bed and diagonal up left through the woods several hundred feet to scree slope. Hike up left side of slope to a faint trail that leads to base of cliff near route "shades of Grey"! & Grey corner".

Featured Route For East Peak

Thor's Hammer 5.9  CT : Central- Traprock : ... : Merimere Face

This route ascends the obvious stairstep dihedral on the Merimere Face. A Connecticut classic. Although obvious from the road below, this is somewhat tricky to find when approaching from the blue trail from the parking lot at the castle. Be sure to look at the landmarks around the climb as you drive up.Climb the relatively easy corner to the first roof, undercling left (crux), and continue up a wide crack through another smaller roof to the to...[more]

Add Photo Photos of East Peak

Mikko leading "Relection of Fall", 5.9+ on the Mer...	Eastvillage on "Reflection of Fall" 5.9+ Merimere ...	Doug at the stemming start of Cat Crack showing th...